Stuart Guy shares the results of how Hempel’s hydro gel fouling-release system has performed on his Hunter Pilot 27 over two years
gear
How I found the right electric engine for my boat after spending £25k
Felix Marks explains how he turned around the disastrous electric engine installation on his Tofinou day-sailer
Can VHF and AIS run on the same aerial?
Boat owner Robert Campbell is considering fitting a splitter so his AIS transceiver can share the same aerial as his VHF radio. Is it a good idea?
Propeller care: everything you need to know
Stu Davies has valuable tips on how to maintain your prop – and explains how this vital bit of kit works, and why propeller care is needed
DIY engine replacement saves boat owner £1,500
When his Bukh DV20 engine fails, boat owner Richard Reed saves cash by installing a ‘new’ second-hand Beta 28 and doing a DIY marine engine replacement
Can I trust this boat mooring?
Most sailors use traditional moorings without knowing about their condition or how they are made. Ben Sutcliffe-Davies explains
Plan to secure future of nautical publisher Imray paper charts
Good news for Imray's paper charts: the nautical publisher and freytag & berndt aim to “ensure the continued availability” of Imray's paper charts and books
Coating a GRP deck with SoftSand coating
Genevieve Leaper and Aleko Stephan remove the old teak deck on their Nicholson 32 and renovate the original GRP with a new coating
Where to recycle old sails and end of life kit – drop off points across the UK and Europe
Got old sails and old rope that you don't want to put into landfill? The ReSail platform allows sailors to find free drop-off points to give new life to end-of-life…
Overhauling the DC boat electrics on a 38ft boat
Richard Thomson explains how he gave his 1983 Trident Marine Voyager 38’s electrical system a complete and cost effective overhaul.
New AIS MOB device rule affecting sailors
Big changes to marine radio device rules are planned to be brought into the UK. The only MOB AIS devices allowed will be those that incorporate DSC on Ch70.
Boat battery care: the do’s and the don’ts
Stuart James of Predator Batteries shares his expert tips for achieving optimum battery performance on board your boat
Do you really need an active radar reflector on your boat?
Simon Hampton-Matthews, chair of the Cruising Association’s RATS committee, discusses radar reflectors and whether they’re still the best way to be seen on the water
Is foiling really the future of cruising?
Foiling technology has revolutionised the world of sailboat racing, but can it make its way to cruising yachts too? Saša Fegić reports
French canal boating: the essential kit
Julian and Vanessa Dussek took their Southerly 115 down through France to the Med, about 1,000 miles. Listed here are items they found essential or desirable
How waterproof are the Xtratuf Kiata trainers?
The Xtratuf Kiata trainers claim to be 100% waterproof, so Katy Stickland put them to the test
A sustainable alternative to marine ply?
Even the best marine ply is not totally moisture resistant and will eventually succumb to rot after extended periods of raised moisture levels. Supersede Marine Board is said to be…
Satellite communication at sea: staying connected from your boat
With Starlink’s high-speed internet, do sailors still need satellite phones on board while at sea? Ali Wood looks at the pros and cons of the different systems available to cruisers…
Does the Henri Lloyd Smart Therm jacket really provide targeted warm, wicking and ventilation? We put it to the test
The Henri Lloyd Smart Therm jacket promises targeted warmth, wicking and ventilation through advanced body mapping. James Wood puts it to the test
How well do the Helly Hansen Skagen F1 deck shoes perform on a charter holiday and while running dinghy sessions at the sailing club?
Ali Wood tests Helly Hansen's Skagen F1 deck shoes while on a charter holiday and running children's dinghy sessions at her local sailing club


















